Families enjoy activities, learn at Mississippi event near Rice

Bill Ness (right) of Clear Waters Outfitting gives Steven Mick, St. Cloud, a quick lesson for his first time on a paddleboard Saturday during the Take a Day Off on the Mississippi event.(Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com)Buy Photo

RICE – Saturday's Take a Day OFF on the Mississippi event was billed as a relaxing day full of family-friendly fun.

But don't let the lack of desks or a blackboard fool you — there was still plenty of learning going on.

Hundreds of people took part in the event at Mississippi River Park, making the sixth installment another well-received showcase of all the river and area have to offer. The OFF in the event's title stands for Outdoor Family Fun, according to event organizer Katie Winkelman, of the Stearns County Soil and Water Conservation District.

"We're here to get people engaged and out here in nature," Winkelman said. "We know that people want to be involved. They want to learn and experience, and sometimes we need to provide a little extra push or opportunity."

The event gave families a chance to try canoeing, fishing, paddle sports, geocaching and archery, among others. There were also canoe trips down a five-mile stretch of the river.

"We wanted to increase the awareness of this part of the Mississippi River," said Dennis Fuchs, a volunteer at the event. "Because of activities like this, people feel that this portion of the river is extremely important to protect and keep natural."

The family aspect of the event was evident as children's and parents' shared curiosity led them to new activity after new activity.

"We were here last year and had a great time, so we thought we'd do it again," said Brenda Frieler, of Sartell. "We're always looking for things we can do together as a family, and this was a fun event. To actually be out on the water (was nice)."

Frieler, who attended with her husband Todd and their three children, said they'd be back next year.

That sentiment was shared by Pam Kuhn and her 9-year-old son Connor, a self-proclaimed "nature guy." Connor was able to fish and build a birdhouse along with a multitude of activities.

There was some build-up to the event for the Kuhns considering they'd missed out on the event in years past.

"I've never been able to come and do this before, so this year we were like, 'We're going.' We don't have anything going on, so we did it," Pam Kuhn said.

As fun as the day is for event-goers, it also proves to be worthwhile for the organizations working it.

"It's just a great opportunity," said Ella Gray, of St. John's Outdoor University. "We always try doing a lot of community events like this. It's good just to be able to connect with people."

How often do you use the Mississippi River for recreation? Place your vote here. See results on Monday's Opinion page. The Daily Poll is nonscientific.

Follow Ben Katzner on Twitter @BigKat0.

Kory Klebe of the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center in Spicer directs a group as they paddle a large, voyageurs canoe upstream Saturday during the Take a Day OFF on the Mississippi event at Mississippi River County Park near Rice. (Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloud)

Minnesota Herpetological Society member Angie Cairl, of Becker, wears her reticulated python, Elvira, for a headpiece as she demonstrates a variety of snakes, geckos, and other reptiles Saturday at the Take a Day OFF on the Mississippi event. (Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloud)

Minnesota Herpetological Society member Nancy Haig (left) talks to young visitors about the bull snake, Minnesota's largest native snake, during a demonstration Saturday at the Take a Day OFF on the Mississippi event. (Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com)

Bill Ness (right) of Clear Waters Outfitting Co. gives Steven Mick, of St. Cloud, a quick lesson for his first time on a paddleboard Saturday during the Take a Day OFF on the Mississippi event. (Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com)

Brad Kapsner (right), looks over the bluebird houses his children made during the Take a Day OFF on the Mississippi event at Mississippi River County Park. His children are, left to right: Genevieve, 11, Grace, 8, Daniel, 13, and Johann, 2 1/2. (Photo: Kimm Anderson, kanderson@stcloudtimes.com)